HONOLULU - The Hawai`i women's tennis team couldn't give head coach Carolyn Katayama the birthday wish she wanted, after falling to Xavier, 4-3, Tuesday, at the UH Tennis Complex. With the loss, the Rainbow Wahine dropped to 5-11.

UH took the early lead by winning two of the three doubles matches. After the teams split the Nos. 1 and 2 positions, the team of Chloe Bihag and Kimberly Curtis out-lasted Sarah Potts and Kate Lohner, 9-8 (5), in a thrilling tie-breaker at the No. 3 court.

In singles play, the Musketeers (10-5) rallied with victories at the Nos. 1, 2, and 6 courts. At the top singles spot, Lauren Clary upset UH's Lauren Fitzgerald, the ITA's No. 86-ranked player, 6-4, 6-2. The loss snapped Fitzgerald's season-best six-match win streak. The Rainbow Wahine rallied with Curtis' 6-1, 6-3 win over Jackie Vilines at No. 4, which pulled UH to within 3-2.

But the mid-day heat took its toll at the No. 3 court as Stephanie Bauer rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3 win over Paige Mainor to secure the team's victory. UH's Kana Aikawa rounded out singles competition by holding off Alicia Papa, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, at No. 5.

The Rainbow Wahine conclude their three-match homestand by hosting Loyola Marymount, Wednesday. First serve is set for 10:00 a.m. at the UH Tennis Complex.

Match Results
Xavier def. Hawai`i, 4-3
Singles (each match is worth one team point)
1. Lauren Clary (XU) def. Lauren Fitzgerald, 6-4, 6-2
2. Kristen Clary (XU) def. Justine Boutet, 6-1, 6-0
3. Stephanie Bauer (XU) def. Paige Mainor, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3
4. Kimberly Curtis def. Jackie Vilines (XU), 6-1, 6-3
5. Kana Aikawa def. Alicia Papa (XU), 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
6. Sarah Potts (XU) def. Samanta Cappella, 6-4, 7-5
Order of finish: 2, 1, 4, 6, 3, 5

Doubles (must win 2 of 3 for one team point)
1. L. Clary/Bauer (XU) def. Fitzgerald/Mainor, 8-6
2. Aikawa/Boutet def. K. Clary/Vilines (XU), 8-5
3. Curtis/Chloe Bihag def. Potts/Kate Lohner (XU), 9-8 (5)

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